Freedom Fighters Foundation will be holding its16th Annual Tribute to Marcus Garvey, themed "Rise, you mighty race", this Sunday, August 16, starting at 7:00pm, at Belair Community Centre. Admission is $10.

Marcus Garvey was born in Jamaica and was an orator for the Black Nationalism and Pan-Africanism movements, to which end he founded the Universal Negro Improvement Association and African Communities League. Garvey advanced a Pan-African philosophy, which inspired a global mass movement, known as Garveyism. Garveyism would eventually inspire others – from the nation of Islam to the Rastafarian movement.

For this tribute, the foundation is pleased to announce that Marcus Garvey's son, Doctor Julius Garvey, will be one of the main speakers. Dr. Garvey, who lives in Sea Cliff, continues along the path of black pride that his father blazed nearly 70 years ago. "Blacks are much more in control than the time when my father came. But it is important for the black man to realize that we have not yet reached our goal, which is self-determination," he says.

Dr. Garvey obtained his undergraduate and medical degrees from McGill University in Montreal. In 1962, Dr. Garvey came to the United States as a resident in surgery at Mount Sinai Medical Center. He later studied thoracic and cardiovascular surgery at the University of Maryland Hospital in Baltimore and returned to New York in 1970.

He has since held several appointments at hospitals in New York, including acting program director of cardiothoracic surgery at Long Island Jewish Medical Center. He has also taught at several universities in New York and continues as an associate professor of surgery at State University of New York at Stony Brook. In 1983, he entered private practice on Long Island.

The second guest speaker is Michael Lorne, an attorney-at-law based in Jamaica, who represents the poor, especially in cases against the government. He is also a publisher and owns a bookshop, which concentrates on publications about Africa and the African diaspora, encouraging an African consciousness amongst the Jamaican people.

Last but not least, the third speaker will be Daniela Jeffrey who has been writing and lecturing about St. Martin's history, culture and politics for over 20 years.

With these three intellectuals speaking, it promises to be a very interesting evening. Freedom Fighters Foundation also has a special surprise opening planned for the event and there will be a chance for the audience to ask questions to the three speakers. The foundation promises a youth-friendly event and encourages St. Maarten young people to join in and learn something new.

Tickets are available at Ital Shack or at the door. Sponsors include Freedom Fighters Ital Shack, PJIA, Regina Labega School, Motorworld, Travel Planners, NAPA, PJD2, SOS Radio and Island 92.